Nishikawa fronts the 2024 edition of MSCI ESG Research’s Sustainability and Climate Trends to Watch, released on Dec 12. The annual report examines hot-button issues in the sector.
In 2023, much attention has been devoted to the controversy around environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. While reports of ESG’s demise have been overstated, it is fair to say the industry is in a period of transition, says Laura Nishikawa, MSCI’s head of ESG research.
“Confusing terminology, definitions and labels have fueled challenges to ESG’s credibility from both sceptics and idealists alike. A positive outcome of the current backlash may be that years of inconsistency finally give way to greater clarity around language, goals and intentions,” says Nishikawa, a 13-year MSCI veteran who was appointed ESG research head in September.
